Spaying questions...

I dont have any websites right now. But I will look for you. and I am sure you will get some good replys. I know how you feel though. I researched the heck out of it before my girls went in...and they are doing good. Jellie will be going in in a few months.

Thanks!

Cassie, I don't have the resources, but I'm sure someone will soon. My best suggestion would be to talk to your vet about the anaethetic protocol they use. My vet was happy to explain what they were going to do with Ophelia and what the complication rate was. I had asked if they used Ketamine because I'd heard some real horror stories, and he explained that they use a small amount of Ketamine (because getting a mask on an awake kitty didn't usually work well ) and then use only gas anethetic for the operation. The gas allows for easier wake-up and recovery since the body removes it quicker than anything injected. He also reassured me with the complication rate he's personally experienced in his years of using that method (which I don't remember specifically, but I know it was very close to zero). Also, be sure to have the test run prior to anethetic. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's a blood test that can detect if there may be a reaction to the anethetic before they put kitty under, so that adjustments can be made to the protocol to keep her safe.

I appreciate that you are considering this for CJ. She will be a much happier kitty if you do spay her.

You can get lots of reliable info on spaying at The Pet Center. There's also info on a life threatening disease called pyometra that can be prevented by spaying. (Though they talk about pyometra in dogs, cats get the same disease)

http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/Spayandneuter.htm

Cassie,

Your best bet is to find a vet specialist in your area, one that only works on cats- they are called feline specialists. Talk to him openly about your fears and hesitations regarding the spay. As Heidi said I would steer clear of a vet using Ketamine- there are other less harsher ways to put a cat under with less side effects-

If you go to this link there are several spay and neuter resources to look at-

http://www.meowhoo.com/Cat_Health/Sp...ces/index.html

Thanks all for the advice and web addresses!

Cassie, at the spay/neuter clinics I have helped at, we spay/neuter 60-70 feral cats per month. We do use ketamine, maybe because it is inexpensive?

First the cat is anesthetized; after one shot they slowly fall asleep. Once the cat is fully asleep, their belly is shaved to provide a clean surgical area. The surgery goes pretty quick, then the kitty rests on a heating pad or under a heat lamp to wake up. Someone watches out for each cat, stroking and petting them. They watch for the kitty to begin to wake up, then back into the carrier, as you do not want a feral cat to fully wake up when free!

Everyone is very kind to the animal-if they are carried while asleep, each person holds them comfortably. I have only seen one cat out of about 130 who was slow to wake up. We just watched her more closely until she woke up fully.

You are right to be careful of any surgery, but as someone who has helped in a minor way in "several", it is a very safe surgery. You should discuss this fully with your vet. The vet should be respectful of you and your feelings, and be able to ease your mind.

Good luck, you are brave to consider going through this for the good of your cat!

You know my feeling on this subject so I won't go into any detail. I am available by PM however for any questions that come up.
www.veterinarypartner.com is one website I would reccomend. I would be very leary about getting your info on the web in general- you can find any info that you want, it's just that a lot of it is not based in fact.